…Flags-off C’River concrete pilot road project
By Dele Ogbodo
The Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, over the weekend fired back at contractors over his alleged refusal to sign certificate of job done just as he said that he cannot sign certificate jerked from N34 billion to N120 billion or from N44 billion inflated to N126 billion.
Ostensibly reacting to allegations made by Mr. Bolarinwa Akinpelu, who led a group of contractors to address the media on Thursday, in Abuja, over the Minister’s refusal to pay for job done even as Akinpelu, said: “Everything people see is mere window dressing. Umahi rarely treats files and only those with connections have their files treated.”
Reacting, the Minister said: “That’s not the truth, l am signing the certificates that I am convinced that are all right but when a project is N34 billion and is jerked up to N120 billion or a project that is N44 billion is jerked up to N126 billion.
“I am a civil engineer I have been on this for 30 years or more and I am a member of Nigeria Society of Engineers, as a professional anything you sign, you have to know and you have to take responsibility for it.”
Meanwhile, Umahi, over the weekend flagged-off Cross River State pilot concrete road project in Calabar, the state capital at the round off trip of inspection of South-south Federal highways and bridges.
He said the concrete construction technology was borrowed from one of Works Minister’s constructed roads in Ebonyi State during his tenure as Governor of the state, while highlighting the huge benefits and importance of the construction of concrete roads over asphalt in Nigeria.
He said: “This pilot project is being initiated by the Governor of Cross River State and this is what we are talking about. I want the press to see it.
In the next 50 to 60 years nobody will touch this road, it has been a pilot project from the Governor and his very hard-working Commissioner, I want to encourage him to use this concrete to do all his road works and he will not have any regret weather there is rain or sun, this road will continue to remain the way it is and this is what we are talking about.
According to him, the several failures on our roads is because of the method of construction, so I commend the Governor for this bold initiative and I want him to expand it to all his roads”
The Minister used the opportunity to highlight the benefits of concrete roads as follows; it lasts up to 50 years, cheaper than asphalt, concrete roads contract can be determined without increase in price.
“It will lift the pressure on the naira as there won’t be need for bitumen importation, nothing less than 10 companies have indicated interest in opening cement factory, it will create jobs, no expatriate is doing the job but local people through direct labour.
“We are developing our engineering profession, allowing local content by allowing local engineers to practice what they have learnt and it will create expansion of the existing cement companies to 90% from the current 30% capacity.
While responding to allegation of refusal to sign contract certificate, the Minister said: “Let me use this opportunity to debunk the report that I refuse to sign certificate of contractors and that contractors are dying.
Umahi said “I won’t sign anything I cannot defend, I have told Mr. President this and he is supporting me, so those whose certificates are clear and OK, I have signed.
“Those whose roads have failed I will not sign; they have to go and fix the road back. That is the truth, they say I am signing a certificate for contractors that big men are behind, the only big man before me is God Almighty and Mr. President “
The Governor of Cross Rivers State Senator (Prince) Bassey Otu in his remarks said: “I am so glad today that we have such an action minister.
“We started this pilot project as a matter of fact we borrowed this technology from Ebonyi because when we checked the cost and the durability and sustainability we came to the conclusion, we have to do something very economical but beneficial to the people, we are going to replicate this in many localities in as much as you give us your support.”
The Commissioner for Works, Cross River State, Hon. Pius Edet in his appreciation of the Minister’s visit said “Your I want to thank you very much for coming as the proponent of modern construction facility in Nigeria, as a proponent of concrete pavement, we felt that it will not be fair to allow you leave without seeing one of your theory being implemented. We pray that God gives you more wisdom and ideology for the success of our country.”